Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

October 4, 1930 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD 59 couraging to both projectionist and exhibitor. So far these producers have adopted it : Universal, United Artists, World Wide, Radio, Paramount, and now along steps First National with the same system. We have been told by several exchange men that nearly twice as many disc users are served as sound-on-film. Would this alone not justify giving the disc user a true full-screen disc print, rather than to issue a combination print to serve both types of reproduction? This in the long run would be a distinct opportunity to better projection for both film and disc houses. Cost would probably be an alibi, but why? If the smaller producers, like Tiffany and Columbia, can afford it, why cannot the rest? Our sincere thanks are out to M G M, Fox, Tiffany and Columbia for their service to disc users in this respect. Wishing you continued success, with your wonderful trade journal, I remain. — Lester Borst, projectionist, Rivoli theatre, Two Rivers, Wis. Grateful for Plaque WE CANNOT FIND WORDS TO THANK you for the beautiful plaque you sent us. You don't know how much this means to us, to our employees, and to our patrons. We only wish we could do as much for you as this plaque will do for us. — S. Panora, Star theatre, New Milford, Conn. Camden, N. J., Has Fete as 20,000 RCA Employees Return (Special to the Herald-World) CAMDEN, N. J., Oct. 2.— City officials organized a huge prosperity parade here to hail the return of 20,000 RCA Victor employees to their work. The program for the "back to work" celebration advertised Camden as the radio center of the world. State and city officials gave addresses, as well as several industrial leaders. E. E. Shumaker, president of the RCA Victor Company, declared in a speech that the business depression had forced cutting the organization down to less than 4,000 employees during the spring and summer, but that there are now over 22,000 on the payrolls in Camden and more than 77,000 are employed by distributors and dealers, making a total of 100,000 who are receiving employment from the company. David Sarnoff, president of the Radio Corporation of America, spoke on the prosperous future which he believes is ahead for the radio industry. The Victor Company here has stepped up its production 1,600 radio sets daily over the output two weeks ago. Under rapidly increasing production, the company is now turning out 4,600 a day. Spain Wants Talkers, But Where to Get Them? (Special from the Department of Commerce) WASHINGTON, Oct. 2.— Talking pictures are becoming increasingly popular in Spain, the number of silents shown in first and second run houses being exceedingly small. Exhibitors, however, are faced with the problem of procuring a sufficient number of pictures in Spanish dialog. Showmen in that country are depending upon American production for a majority of_ their Spanish talkers, but these, it is said, are not expected to cover more than 25 per cent of the market demand. Sono Art Has "Three in One" (Special to the Herald-World) ROCHESTER, Oct. 2. — Sono Art-World Wide had its pictures showing in three first run houses here during the same week. "Once A Gentleman" played the RKO Temple; "Blaze O' Glory' ' the Strand: and "Moulin Rouge" the Little theatre. Big Butter field's Circuit Signs Big 4 Westerns For Most of 80 Theatres John R. Freuler, Big 4 President, Plans Further Series of Six AllTalking Westerns (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Oct. 2.— Big 4 Film Corporation has announced that the W. S. Butterfield circuit of Detroit, operating 80 theatres in Michigan, has signed for the producing company's Westerns in most of the towns of the circuit. John R. Freuler, president of the company, is due in New York shortly, when he will launch extensive plans for the coming season schedule. The executive has just negotiated for a further series of six all talking action Western, in which type of production Big 4 specializes. His present trip East is said to be an indication of a further production and distribution alliance, with a view to greater variety of product. Alvin J. Neitz is directing "Breed of the West," latest Wally Wales feature, which has gone into production at the Coast studio. Virginia Browne Faire is playing opposite the star in the feminine lead, and Buzz Barton is handling the juvenile role. G. E. Holcomb has been appointed sales representative for Big 4, for the northwest territory, working out of the Celebrated Exchange in Minneapolis. Two new distributing centers for the product have been arranged, with Douglas Cooper and Jack*Roher obtaining the franchise for Ontario and Quebec in Canada, and a new office opening in New Haven under the managership of Harry Furst. Brand Motion Picture As "Worst Evil" of Century (Special to the Herald-World) PORT ARTHUR, TEX., Oct. 2.— Motion pictures were severely arraigned in the report of the committee on civic righteousness, made to and adopted by the Southeast Texas Baptist Convention here. "It is quite clear," the report sets forth, "that among the chief evils of this day and generation the modern motion picture stands at the top rung of the ladder." Say s He Hurt Head in Theatre; Asks $5,000 (Special to the HeraldWorld) BRAZIL, IND., Oct. 2— Damages of $5,000 are asked in suit filed by Wayne Shaffer against the Citizens theatre here. Shaffer alleges that as he was descending a stairway in the theatre two years ago his head struck a beam, inflicting injuries which he declares are permanent. Nat Ehrlich Buried in Albany ALBANY, N. Y.— Nat Ehrlich, Pathe salesman, who died following' an appendicitis operation, was buried here. He was 34 years old. Thieves Get $201 from Raleigh Capitol's Safe (Special to the Herald-World) RALEIGH, N. C, Oct. 2.— Thieves took $201.68 from the safe of the Capitol theatre here in a night robbery. The money in the safe was to have been used for paying employees. Putt-Putt Goes Over ig in New Orleans; 30 Courses Are Busy Estimated Investment $300,000 — Afford Employment for More Than 300 People (Special to the Herald-World) NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 2. — In a little over 10 months, 30 miniature golf courses have sprung up throughout the city, aggregating an investment in the neighborhood of $300,000. It might be called New Orleans' most popular amusement. There are over 300 people employed in the operation of these courses, not taking into account the scores of contractors, electricians, plumbers, gardeners, masons and others who have figured in their construction. It is estimated that the daily receipts from these courses range from $800 to $2,500. One of the newer ones, recently constructed, is said to be the most elaborate in the South. Built around a hill, it has a miniature waterfall running down the side into two lakes where fish are swimming. It has marble steps and terrazza sidewalks throughout. The fad has spread among rich and poor alike, young and old, and now that school has again begun, there is no doubt but what the courses will be pretty good hangout for the truant officers. It seems that the name Putt-Putt was coined by a New Orleans man by the name of Anderson, who opened the first course in the city in November, 1929. As to the origin of the game itself, it seems that in the Spring of 1926, two golf bugs by the names of John Ledbetter and Drake Delaney, erected the first course on the roof of a New York skyscraper. After some difficulties, they finally discovered a substitute for turf, and their pile was made. Royalties now flow in to them from every corner of the earth. Theatre Is Tiny Course Now (Special to the Herald-World) PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 2. — The Park theatre here is being converted into winter quarters for a tiny golf course. It is the first theatre in the city to be used for this purpose. Owners of courses in the city and surrounding territory have indicated theywill fight the efforts of Director Schofield if he persists in arresting those who operate on Sunday. The Tom Thumb Golf Course Owners' Association has retained an attorney to protect its interests. If arrests continue, legal action may be taken to force Schofield to arrest other blue law violators, it is said. Old House Goes Putt-Putt (Special to the Herald-World) LA PORTE, IND., Oct. 2. — The 50year old Madison theatre here, once the pride of the city and the rendezvous of such actors as Joseph Jefferson* Richard Mansfield and Robert Mantell, has followed the lead of the Auditorium in Chicago. It will be turned into a miniature golf course. It is one of the few houses in this vicinity which never was converted to talking pictures. 2 Bandits Get Night's Receipts at Ohio House (Special to the Herald-World) INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 2. — Two gunmen held up A. W. Hedding, manager of the Ohio theatre here and forced him to open the safe, which they looted of the night's receipts.